Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
Essentially, the waters surrounding Japan are rich waters where a wide variety of fish can be found. There are more than 3,000 species, including northern and southern fish and shellfish, as well as fresh-water types in brackish waters and fresh water lakes.

By making use of the precious environment, various fisheries have developed. The rules (fishery systems) have also developed to use fishery resources permanently and maintain local order.

Our ancestors have preserved the environment, used only the surplus of production in the waters, and transmitted the resources to the next generations. It is necessary to take another look at the value of the rich waters and the wisdom of our ancestors.

Area of Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

(Unit: 10,000 km²)
No.1	U.S.A.	762
No.2	Australia	701
No.3	Indonesia	541
No.4	New Zealand	483
No.5	Canada	470
No.6	Japan	447

Source: “Limits in the Seas-Theoretical Areal allocations of Seabed to Coastal States,” US Department of State.

World catches by water area

Source: FAO Fishstat “Capture production 1950-2005.”

## V arious kinds of fishery products available in Japan’s surrounding waters

[Fish species with the largest catch quantities (2006)]
1. Mackerel	650,000 tons
2. Japanese anchovy	420,000 tons
3. Skipjack	330,000 tons
4. Scallop	270,000 tons
5. Saury	240,000 tons
(Total production	5,740,000 tons)

Sources: “Annual Fishery Product Distribution Statistics” and “Annual Statistics of Fishery and Aquaculture Production,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
Section 3 Toward the revitalization of Japan’s rich waters

(1) Widespread fishermen’s leadership -- Preserve our sea by ourselves! --

☐ Fishery resources are reproducible permanently through proper management. It is important to promote thorough resource management, such as limitation of fishing seasons and establishment of operating areas, as well as effective use of resources putting more emphasis on quality (profitability) than quantity.

☐ It is also important to intensify efforts to preserve underwater plant beds and tidelands which grow resources, to maintain sound ecosystems, and to develop human resources shouldering the future of the fisheries.

☐ It is important, too, to provide information in a way that is easy to understand, and gain the understanding of the people.

##

“Utase” sailboats fishing in Notsuke Bay

The Small sailing trawl fishing, called “Utaseamiryo,” has developed so as not to damage eelgrass, the habitat of Hokkai shrimp, with boat screws.

Before opening the fishing season each year, fishermen themselves make a resource evaluation and determine the catches for the year. An income equalization system is also established.

A system to equalize the blessings from the sea is developed to maintain productivity and business management.

## Case: Preservation of tidelands (Gamagori City, Aichi Prefecture)

Tilling tideland

This area has vast tidelands, and short-necked clam fishery is the key industry here.

Fishermen cultivate bottom mud to supply oxygen into the mud. They collect sea lettuce covering the tideland surface.

Biodiversity of tidelands is preserved and their water quality purification function is improved.

##

Father coaching his son

Giving support not only to those wishing to enter fisheries from other industries, but also to fishermen’s children.

Local community members are united to give guidance and advice.

When new entrants start up their own business, they will be given assistance to lessen their burden of initial investment and are thoroughly supported until they can begin work.
(2) What each person can do -- Awareness reform and behavior expected of people--

◇ Eco-label system is established to show the fishery products taking into consideration the ecosystem and sustainability of resources.

The idea of “Satoumi (home-sea)” is proposed to maintain the high production capacity of the sea, restore the rich waters and nurture traditional culture by making minimum modifications.

Against the citizens’ rising awareness of environmental problems, there is also a growing interest in the citizen-participation program for maintaining underwater plant beds and tidelands.

The way of living paying attention to resources and the environment is important. Each citizen’s awareness reform and behavior are important.

##

Logo mark of Marine Eco-Label Japan

In Europe and the U.S., eco-label systems by private certification organizations have been gradually introduced.

In Japan, too, companies having obtained certification on distribution and processing management are selling their products with the eco-label.

In December 2007, Japan’s own eco-label system, reflecting the characteristics of the Japanese fisheries production and resource management, was established. At the end of 2008, products with Marine Eco-Label Japan are expected to be sold.

##

Experience making Asakusanori (purple laver)

On the Banzu Tideland in Tokyo Bay, a non-profit organization (NPO) was proposed and established by fishermen to communicate the importance of tidelands.

The NPO aims to restore the sea where not only fishermen, but also many citizens come together.

It transmits information actively and arranges learning through practical experience. It leads exchange activities of community residents in one united body.

##

spawn of broad-mantle squid on Amamo

It is aimed at recovering the rich nature in Kanazawa Hakkei through restoration of Amamo and to transmit valuable nature and culture of the sea to future generations.

Participated by various sectors including fishermen, fisheries research institutes, universities, companies, local schools, citizens and NPOs.

In 2004, spawning of broad-mantle squid on grown Amamo was confirmed.
(3) Restoration of the sea accelerated by cooperation and collaboration

In order to restore rich waters in the future, it is important to enhance the production capacity of the sea by restoring and creating good environments, such as restoring underwater plant beds and tilling tidelands, and to promote the sustainable use of fishery resources. As global warming is becoming a problem, the possibility of underwater plant beds playing a role in carbon fixation is also expected.

It is necessary to steadily carry out fisheries policy reforms in accordance with the New Basic Fisheries Plan, such as intensification of resource management efforts, etc. It is also necessary to positively provide consumers with information on the state of resources and resource management, fish in season, nutritional properties, etc. and to promote sharing of awareness to preserve the rich environment and resources of the sea. Furthermore, it is necessary to expand the programs in which anyone can participate according to his or her role and ability.

☐ If fishermen, distributors and consumers intensify their cooperation and collaboration from the viewpoint of attaching importance to the linkage of woods, rivers and the sea, synergy effects are expected.

To transmit rich waters to future generations
(1) Domestic fishery production

a. Fishery and aquaculture production volume and value

In 2006, Japan’s fishery and aquaculture production volume (including fish and seaweed) was 5.74 million tons, almost the same level as that of the previous year. The production value (including fish and seaweed) was also the same level as that of the previous year at 1,606.9 billion yen.

Change in Fishery and Aquaculture Production Volume and Value

Source: "Annual Statistics of Fishery and Aquaculture Production," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

### b. Management of fishery resources in Japan’s surrounding waters

For almost half of the fish species or stocks in Japan’s surrounding waters, the levels of fishery resources are low.

☐ Fifty-one resource recovery plans for 76 fish and a multi-species resource recovery plan have been implemented or are being worked out.

There are cases where resource recovery has been confirmed, such as red snow crab (Sea of Japan stock).

To ensure sustainable fisheries and secure the supply of fishery products, it is necessary for fishery parties, prefectural and national governments to unite to implement resource recovery plans solidly.

State of Implementation of Resource Recovery Plans (as of February 29, 2008)

Source: Fisheries Agency

Catches and Resources of Red Snow Crab (Sea of Japan stock)

Sources: Fisheries Agency and Fisheries Research Agency
The “Guidelines for countermeasures against rocky-shore denudation” were finalized, identifying causes of rocky-shore denudation and summarizing concrete countermeasures. Efforts were made to install seaweed substrates and create underwater plant beds.

☐ Research was conducted into causes of red tide and technologies to prevent or eliminate red tide and dysoxic water mass were developed.

☐ A panel of relevant government agencies on drifting trash examined how to deal with trash sources and dispose of such trash.

To prevent damage to fisheries by giant jellyfish which emerged in coastal waters in the Sea of Japan, the government took advantage of relevant funds authorized under the FY2005 supplementary budget, etc. to support the surveys and provision of information on the emergence of such jellyfish, implementation of control measures on the sea, etc.

Measures were implemented to prevent and mitigate damage to fisheries by longheaded eagle ray, steller sea lions, cucumaria echinata (a kind of sea cucumber), etc.

Sargassum beds recovered from denudation

## (Inland water conditions)

☐ Thirteen fish species, including largemouth bass, and four species from four genera of aquatic invertebrates were designated as invasive alien species for prevention or elimination. In Lake Biwa, the elimination of more than 400 tons is implemented each year to preserve the ecosystem.

☐ Damage by common cormorant occurred. In June 2007, the common cormorant was designated as a game species. In December 2007, the “Act on special measures for the prevention of wildlife damage” was enacted to allow the local municipalities autonomously to take measures to prevent and deal with wildlife damage.

Measures were taken to prevent fisheries animal diseases, such as ayu (sweetfish) coldwater disease, koi herpes virus disease, etc.

Catch quantity of major native fish in Lake Biwa and catch quantity of alien fish per set of stationary net in Lake Biwa (southern area)

Source: Shiga Prefecture

A common cormorant catching Japanese dace
## (2) Fishery product trade (Fishery product imports)

Japan’s fishery product imports in 2006 decreased by 5.7% in volume from the previous year to 3.15 million tons, and increased by 2.3% in value to 1,707.4 billion yen.

Changes in Fishery Product Import Volume and Value by Major Item

(Volume: 1,000 tons; Value: 100 million yen)

2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	Percentage share (%)	Increase/decrease rate (%)
Total import volume of fishery products	3,821	3,325	3,485	3,343	3,154	▲	▲ 5.7
Total import value of fishery products	17,622	15,692	16,371	16,691	17,074	100.0	2.3
Shrimp	2,974	2,481	2,380	2,352	2,480	14.5	5.5
Tuna/marlin	2,434	2,229	2,337	2,190	2,326	13.6	6.2
Salmon/trout	1,046	1,016	1,036	1,095	1,070	6.3	▲ 2.2
Crab	898	854	807	694	697	4.1	0.4
Prepared shrimp	475	483	522	524	621	3.6	18.4
Prepared eel	625	412	657	500	552	3.2	10.4
Cod roe	511	523	598	629	524	3.1	▲16.7
Squid	460	417	437	466	488	2.9	4.7
Others	8,199	7,277	7,599	8,241	8,316	48.7	0.9

Source: “Trade Statistics,” Ministry of Finance

☐ Japan remained the world's largest fishery product importer both in volume and value, accounting for 18% ($14.7 billion) of the world's total fishery product import value and 11% (3.34 million tons) of the world's total import volume. But the nation's fishery product imports have been declining in recent years.

China has raised its position as a fishery product exporter in recent years. It was the world's top exporter both in value (\$7.6 billion) and volume (2.54 million tons) in 2005. China was also the world's largest fishery product importer in terms of volume (3.65 million tons, accounting for 12% of the world total).

## (Fishery product exports)

Japan’s fishery product exports in 2006 increased by 26.8% from the previous year in volume to 590,000 tons and by 16.7% in value to 204.1 billion yen. Exports of mackerel, dried sea cucumber, etc. increased substantially. Aiming to attain the export level of one trillion yen a year by 2013 as a national fishery product export goal, the government is implementing measures to expand exports, such as improvement of export environment, transmission of information on Japanese foods and food materials, etc.

Changes in Fishery Product Export Volume and Value by Major Item

(Volume: 1,000 tons; Value: 100 million yen)

2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	Percentage share (%)	Increase/decrease rate (%) from 2005 to 2006
Total export volume of fishery products	307	370	424	468	594	26.8
Total export value of fishery products	1,365	1,354	1,482	1,748	2,041	100.0	16.7
Pearl	332	243	275	302	338	16.5	11.9
Salmon/trout	37	74	91	147	177	8.7	20.5
Mackerel	6	5	19	37	127	6.2	241.5
Dried sea cucumber	...	...	55	79	126	6.2	59.3
Alaska Pollack	14	58	98	78	113	5.5	43.7
Prepared scallop ligament	95	77	65	116	104	5.1	▲10.4
Scallop	91	121	62	109	102	5.0	▲6.8
Others	790	775	817	880	956	46.8	8.6

Source: “Trade Statistics,” Ministry of Finance
## (3) Processing and distribution of fishery products

Production of major processed fishery products in 2006 decreased slightly from the previous year in volume. In 2006, the volume of products landed at major Japanese fishing ports was at the same level as that of the previous year. Their average price was 160 yen per kg. Consolidation of local fish markets, releasing of rights to make bids in auctions, and other regionally devised measures are being taken to enhance market functions.

Trade in fishery products at markets in consumption areas is on the decline in volume and share. Measures are being taken to enhance market functions and maintain product quality.

Changes in Volume of Fishery Products Landed at Major Japanese Fishing Ports

Source: "Annual Fishery Product Distribution Statistics," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Retail prices of fishery products (weighted average of salmon, prawn, canned tuna, tuna and cod roe) in Tokyo are lower than those in six major overseas cities as of November 2006. Salmon and tuna are priced lower than in six major overseas cities, and the price difference of tuna is particularly remarkable.

Source: “Survey results of food retail prices in Tokyo and six major overseas cities,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

## ◇ Reduced cost of fishery products through rationalization of production and distribution of fishery production equipment

They usually operate in fleets of one purse seiner, two transport vessels and two scout boats. Tentatively they operated in fleets of one scout boat with transport function and one purse seiner.

Substantial cost reduction and improvement in living comfort were realized as a result of reduction in vessel construction cost and the number of crew members.

Fig.: A fleet of two vessels (Usually made up of five vessels)
## (5) Consumption of fishery products and self-sufficiency rate

In 2006, fishery products supplied for domestic consumption decreased by 4% from the previous year to 9.82 million tons (on an original weight basis). Fishery products for human consumption declined 6% to 7.36 million tons, accounting for some 70% of the total supply for domestic consumption. Per capita annual fishery product supply for human consumption came to 57.6 kg on a gross food basis and to 32.4 kg on a net food basis.

☐ The self-sufficiency rate of fishery products for human consumption in 2006 rose by 2 percentage points from the previous year to 59% (as estimated).

Fishery Product Supply/Demand Situation

Source: "Food Balance Sheets," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Changes in Self-sufficiency Rate of Fishery Products for Human Consumption

Source: "Food Balance Sheets," Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

In some cases, local fishery products are used for school lunches to promote healthy eating education using the “Food Balance Guide” and school children’s understanding about local eating culture.

###

Preparing Nekketsu (hot-blooded) fish burger

13 new menu items using local fresh materials, such as “Nekketsu fish burger” using filefish, are prepared and served.

With the cooperation of local farming families and the fishery cooperative, school children’s gratitude to local people and interest in fish eating are deepened.
Section 2 International developments surrounding Japan's fisheries (1) Bilateral fishery relations

Japan conducts its fishing operations in the waters off South Korea and China, and vice versa, under its bilateral fishery agreements with the two countries.

☐ Japan conducts its fishing operations based on three intergovernmental agreements with Russia:

(2) Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Cooperation in Fishery

(3) Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Russian Federation on some matters of cooperation in the field of fishing operations for marine living resources

☐ Japanese fishing vessels operate in the 200-mile zones of the Pacific island countries and African countries under bilateral government-to-government or private-level agreements.

## (2) Crackdown on foreign fishing vessels in illegal operations

Japan monitors and cracks down on foreign fishing vessels' illegal operations in its exclusive economic zone and territorial waters. In 2007, the Fisheries Agency seized 13 foreign fishing vessels, conducted boarding inspections on 81 vessels and confiscated fishing gear from 40 vessels. Recently, foreign fishing vessels' malicious actions have been prominent. Some foreign fishing vessels have rejected boarding inspections and fled from Japanese patrol boats. Japan has thus been enhancing its monitoring and crackdown activities.

Fisheries Agency's Boarding Inspections and Other Actions

Nationality of Seized Foreign Vessels

Year 2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
South Korea	23	14	9	8	11
Taiwan	0	7	5	1	1
China	12	5	2	1	1
Russia	0	2	0	0	0
Cambodia	0	1	0	0	0
Total	35	29	16	10	13

Source: Fisheries Agency

Fisheries inspectors on a boat chasing a foreign fishing vessel

Nighttime boarding inspection
(3) Multilateral fishery relations

A. Developments regarding bonito and tuna fisheries

As for tuna (including bonito), which are highly migratory species, Japan promotes proper resource management through all the five regional fisheries management organizations (RFMOs) including the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in accordance with the United Nations Convention for the Law of the Sea.

☐ In order to counter IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing activities and operations by countries other than parties to tuna fishing regulation conventions, Japan, through RFMOs, has taken such measures as a ban on imports of tuna other than those produced through justifiable procedures.

## Tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations and Stock Levels

Source: "FY2006 Present Conditions of World Fishery Resources," Fisheries Agency and Fisheries Research Agency

### B. Other International Organizations

At the 27th session of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)'s Committee on Fisheries (COFI), an agreement was reached on the development of the technical guidelines for the management of deep sea fisheries, etc.

## (4) Current situation of international fisheries cooperation

☐ Japan implements grant aid for fisheries and technical cooperation with other countries through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

◇ The Overseas Fishery Cooperation Foundation transfers technologies and know-how to fishery operations of coastal countries.

◇ Japan provides support to the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC).
Section 3 Fishery business management

## (1) Trends of fishery operators

In 2006, the number of operators of sea-water fisheries and aquaculture declined by 3% from the previous year to 121,000. Of these, 94% are family-based coastal fishery operators.

(2) State of fishery business management

In 2006, fishery income per coastal fishery household (coastal fishery households with fishing vessels, marine aquaculture households, and households with small scale stationary nets) was 2.97 million yen. Fishery income is on the declining trend over the long term.

☐ Corporate fishery operators using 10-ton or larger powered fishing vessels continued to suffer losses on fishery operations. They offset these losses with non-fishery and/or non-operating profits. Among the operators using 50-ton or higher level of vessels, the higher the level, the higher the proportion of fuel oil expenses in the total fishery expenditure, and the wider the losses on fishery operations.

☐ They still depend on borrowings for most of their capital spending. They have also suffered short-term cash flow problems.

Changes in Fishery Household Income

Year 2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
Average fishery income per coastal fishery household	299.5	287.1	271.1	282.3	280.1	296.9
Coastal fishery household with fishing vessel	225.7	226.7	215.6	215.3	214.3	246.6
Marine aquaculture household	686.9	602.3	570.8	626.2	611.4	507.6

Source: “Fishery Business Management Survey Report,” Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Note: Because of a significant review of the survey system made in the 2006 survey, the survey results in 2006 are not continuous from the previous ones.

## (3) Toward stabilization of fishery business management

☐ The “New Management Stabilization Measures” will be introduced in 2008 to mitigate relatively light revenue decreases not covered by the current fishery mutual aid insurance. The new measures are designed to support fishery operators’ business management improvement efforts, including energy saving, and to stabilize their business management.

Image of New Fishery Business Stabilization Measures